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(#7) Andrew Berends Was Arrested In Nigeria For Filmmaking
In 2008, American documentary filmmaker Andrew Berends and his interpreter were arrested in Nigeria on spying charges. Berends was working on a film that detailed oil-production in Nigeria. While he was only held overnight, Berend told The New York Times, "They didn’t let me sleep or eat or drink water for the first 36 hours."
A spokesman for the military, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, said that the arrest was "for his own safety. If something happens to him, it’s an embarrassment to the security agencies. It’s not normal times in the area right now. The S.S.S. will investigate him, and once they are satisfied they will release him, God willing."
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(#1) Otto Warmbier Was Given Hard Labor In North Korea For Stealing A Poster
In 2016, at the age of 21, Otto Warmbier was arrested in North Korea and sentenced to 15 years hard labor. He was convicted of stealing a propaganda poster from the hotel he was staying at. Video footage was released of Warmbier pleading his case in a Pyongyang court, tearfully saying, "It was the worst decision of my life, but I am only human."
Unfortunately for Warmbier, the rising tensions between North Korea and the United States has only made his situation worse. Sports agent David Sugarman, who has campaigned for the release of U.S. citizens from North Korea, continues to speak out on Warmbier's behalf. "North Korea has been in the news lately but it has nothing to do with Otto," he said in April 2017. "[Yet] there is a solution to all of this and it is not war."
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(#9) Paul Hamilton Was Detained In The U.K. After A Visa Mix-Up
American academic Paul Hamilton was living and working in the United Kingdom, and applied for leave to remain in the country. His application was rejected - but the government never notified him. Instead, in January 2016, Hamilton was arrested for overstaying his visa.
"The predominant feeling is degradation," he told a reporter. "Your liberty is gone, your property is gone, your privacy is gone and you’re subject to these daily humiliations."
Hamilton was eventually released and removed from the U.K.
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(#8) Henry Kohen Was Arrested In Hong Kong Over Visa Issues
In May 2017, British math-rock band TTNG and American musician Henry "Mylets" Kohen were arrested at the Hong Kong venue Hidden Agenda. Apparently, there were concerns over the band's visas and work permits. Police offers with dogs and immigrations officials took the musicians away in vans.
According to the Hidden Agenda's Facebook page, the Immigration Department claimed that the venue had "hired illegal immigrants to perform."
Fortunately, TTNG and Kohen were released from police custody the next day.
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(#3) Kian Tajbakhsh
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Scholar Kian Tajbakhsh was arrested in Tehran, Iran in 2009. He was accused of endangering national security, contacting foreign elements, and espionage, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. The charges likely stemmed from his work with the Open Society Institute, a nonprofit aimed at promoting democracy.
Thankfully, Tajbakhsh was allowed to leave Iran in 2016 so that he would be able to work at Columbia University in New York.
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(#5) Tony Kim Was Detained In North Korea For Supposedly Hostile Acts
In April 2017, American professor Kim Sang-duk - also known as Tony Kim - was arrested as he was boarding a flight out of Pyongyang International Airport in North Korea. Kim had just finished several weeks of teaching at Pyongyang University of Science and Technology.
Originally, North Korean officials didn't give a reason for Kim's arrest. Later, they said he had committed "hostile acts" and was plotting to overthrow the government. Many people believe that Kim hadn't broken any laws at all; instead, he was detained to send a message to the United States as tensions are ramped up between the two countries.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson told CBS News, "They use... these detainees from the United States as bargaining chips. They always want something in return."
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About This Tool
More and more people like to travel to foreign countries, but the relaxing and interesting trip may become unfortunate. Some travelers are even imprisoned in foreign prisons for minor crimes, perhaps they are unaware of their wrong behaviors. Because of differences in culture and customs, certain countries or regions impose severe penalties on American crimes that are considered trivial.
It is necessary to learn about some foreign tourism knowledge and local taboos, customs, etc. Unfortunately, travelers often realize the seriousness of certain behaviors only when they wear handcuffs. These crimes can lead to jail sentences or worse punishments. The random tool lists random 9 Americans who were punished for minor offenses in foreign countries.
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